Education Authority Case Studies - Moray and West Lothian
Moray Council Senior Phase Case Study
-click to download the case study here This is one of a set of Local Authority Case Studies designed to outline ways in which local authorities have supported their schools in both the planning and the implementation of the curricular changes required over the next three to six years. The Moray Case Study will outline the processes used to engage stakeholders in the development of a revised curriculum for their Secondary schools, the issues raised, the decisions taken and an indication of matters identified yet to be resolved. The Case Study will also indicate Moray’s indicative plans for taking forward the senior phase, report on the curricular issues and timetabling implications identified in a pilot exercise undertaken by three of our schools and include, as Appendices 1, 2 an 3, the S1 – S3 curriculum designs for the three of Moray’s eight schools that were involved in that pilot. (Note: Appendices will be made available electronically). Moray Case Study Summary Report -click to download the summary report here Curriculum for Excellence, published in November 2004, set out a 3‑18 curriculum which focused on achieving clearly defined, rounded outcomes for children and young people. Its associated rationale required schools to devise a curriculum designed to “enable all children to develop capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors and one which would allow young people to achieve and develop deeper understanding in their learning. The changes required present a significant challenge to our schools. This Case Study outlines the approach taken by Moray Council to support its schools in meeting that challenge.
West Lothian Council Senior Phase Case Study
-click to download the case study here Background In West Lothian Council, faced with uneconomical classes and budget reductions, far reaching proposals for subject choice and timetabling for senior pupils are being considered. The current organisation of learning and teaching in the senior years of secondary does not make best use of resources and timetabled teaching time nor can it offer students sufficient choice of subjects and progression to the next level. This fresh thinking is reflective of Curriculum for Excellence and how best to use available resources to deliver a curriculum for the 21st century. The intention is to expand pupil choice and support teaching in minority subjects within the constraints of budget. Proposal The aim is to:
create a ‘West Lothian Campus’ which will provide senior school students with equity of access and flexible progression pathways in subjects of their choice;
sustain and develop courses at Advanced Higher, the new Baccalaureates and some Higher Courses;
provide best value through changing school timetabling structures to facilitate learning in a wider campus embracing Further Education, schools, training providers, the voluntary sector and employers;
make the best use of online learning tools such as Glow and Scholar.
The Campus model - -click to download here Partnership working is fundamental to the success of West Lothian Campus. The Authority are fortunate this approach to curricular delivery is not entirely new; consortium arrangements between the eleven secondary schools and West Lothian College have been in place for S5 and S6 pupils for a number of years. The Campus builds on these partnerships and widens them to include local training providers, employers and the Voluntary Sector. Partnership working between secondary schools inevitably strengthens as shared planning of curricular provision shapes the pathways available to senior phase students. Following the introduction of the e-prospectus, the indicative figure of students undertaking their learning in more than one setting has increased to approximately16% of the S5/6 cohort in West Lothian schools. This figure is projected to rise to 20-25% when the full model is introduced in 2013.
Education Authority Case Studies - Moray and West Lothian
Moray Council Senior Phase Case Study
- click to download the case study hereThis is one of a set of Local Authority Case Studies designed to outline ways in which local authorities have supported their schools in both the planning and the implementation of the curricular changes required over the next three to six years. The Moray Case Study will outline the processes used to engage stakeholders in the development of a revised curriculum for their Secondary schools, the issues raised, the decisions taken and an indication of matters identified yet to be resolved.
The Case Study will also indicate Moray’s indicative plans for taking forward the senior phase, report on the curricular issues and timetabling implications identified in a pilot exercise undertaken by three of our schools and include, as Appendices 1, 2 an 3, the S1 – S3 curriculum designs for the three of Moray’s eight schools that were involved in that pilot. (Note: Appendices will be made available electronically).
Moray Case Study Summary Report
- click to download the summary report here
Curriculum for Excellence, published in November 2004, set out a 3‑18 curriculum which focused on achieving clearly defined, rounded outcomes for children and young people. Its associated rationale required schools to devise a curriculum designed to “enable all children to develop capacities as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors and one which would allow young people to achieve and develop deeper understanding in their learning. The changes required present a significant challenge to our schools. This Case Study outlines the approach taken by Moray Council to support its schools in meeting that challenge.
West Lothian Council Senior Phase Case Study
- click to download the case study hereBackground
In West Lothian Council, faced with uneconomical classes and budget reductions, far reaching proposals for subject choice and timetabling for senior pupils are being considered. The current organisation of learning and teaching in the senior years of secondary does not make best use of resources and timetabled teaching time nor can it offer students sufficient choice of subjects and progression to the next level. This fresh thinking is reflective of Curriculum for Excellence and how best to use available resources to deliver a curriculum for the 21st century. The intention is to expand pupil choice and support teaching in minority subjects within the constraints of budget.
Proposal
The aim is to:
- create a ‘West Lothian Campus’ which will provide senior school students with equity of access and flexible progression pathways in subjects of their choice;
- sustain and develop courses at Advanced Higher, the new Baccalaureates and some Higher Courses;
- provide best value through changing school timetabling structures to facilitate learning in a wider campus embracing Further Education, schools, training providers, the voluntary sector and employers;
- make the best use of online learning tools such as Glow and Scholar.
The Campus model -- click to download here
Partnership working is fundamental to the success of West Lothian Campus. The Authority are fortunate this approach to curricular delivery is not entirely new; consortium arrangements between the eleven secondary schools and West Lothian College have been in place for S5 and S6 pupils for a number of years. The Campus builds on these partnerships and widens them to include local training providers, employers and the Voluntary Sector. Partnership working between secondary schools inevitably strengthens as shared planning of curricular provision shapes the pathways available to senior phase students.
Following the introduction of the e-prospectus, the indicative figure of students undertaking their learning in more than one setting has increased to approximately16% of the S5/6 cohort in West Lothian schools. This figure is projected to rise to 20-25% when the full model is introduced in 2013.